We are starting on The Hobbit this afternoon and I would like to add activities and supplements to our reading. Does anyone have any great websites or worksheets that they found for this book? thanks

Does anyone live in or around Knoxville, TN? My husband has just interviewed for a job there. We have visited a couple of times in the past couple of years but don't really know that much about the city or the surrounding areas. I would like to know what areas around the city are good for house hunting? We would prefer to live outside the city...house with some land/woods or possibly a house on lake property. How is homeschooling in the area? I have 8th grader and 9th grader and my husband wants them to try PS or private school(which I would prefer). any info about the area would be great.

We have gone to 3...first two we came out with boxes and boxes for only about $50...great luck and the books were ones we really used and then passed on easily . Last time, we weren't so lucky so I think it is just a place like TJ MAXX...you never know what you're going to find -but that is part of the experience for me!!!!

47 and wearing them...love them but I think it makes a different with the brand(Miss Me) and also the top you pair with them...I usually wear boots with mine and I like jackets with them!

We have a hill that my boys always sled on when we have our winter snows and last year my son wanted to give a snowboard a try. So, his brother wants to buy one for him for Christmas this year and we don't know what to do. We went to our local sporting goods store and they had some really cheapies that I know are really more for youth(he's 5'5, 135 lbs). But , the problem is this...the next in line is $99 but we are not sure it is worth even that as we know nothing about them. I came home and googled and found that most are way above that price point and honestly we are not sure we want to even go the $99 price. We don't have except the one small hill that he can use and we get about 2 good snows a year so it will not be used a great deal. They both use sleds like crazy and we have several...in fact, that is how he figured out he would like to try a snowboard. Any advice...are we wasting our money on the $99 one? I really do feel you in most cases you get what you pay for but we don't think we need to spend $200 plus for something that we won't be able to use that much where we live for now.

:iagree: I know that Kitchen Aid is a great brand but the cost is a factor as this will be a gift from my mom(their grandma) and she keeps a limit on cost of gifts. AND yes, the fun factor is a big plus in this case.

My son wants one for Christmas and I am clueless what brand, how they work and do you really need one that flips? Are the cheap ones as good as the more expensive ones? thanks...going to get it this week if I can find it!

what other books like this would you suggest I read? I normally don't go for a book like that but I picked it up on a whim and I am now on the second one. I talked with someone today at the salon that is on the third one in the series and she says her daughter says the second book(the one I am reading now) is the best of the three. She did go on to say that she would recommend I read the third one as I really have liked the first two. What is weird is that I usually go for books more like Sarah's Key, The Forgotten Garden -family/relationship stories-not fluff ones though. I don't normally go for the CSI crime stuff but I do like a story with a sense of mystery maybe. any suggestions?

praying for her and her family. My son just turned 15 and my husband is soo afraid to let him even practice driving...he says it is different on the roads than when we grew up. :grouphug:

I would always go to the bathroom and turn on the shower and let the steam build up in the room. I would sit there and hold him while the steam did its work. Honey and tea....works good for any age. OTC cough medicines...threw ours all away. Never found one that worked and I hate spending the money on them.

I'm not crazy about names that most people can not pronounce or spell easily without having to spell/pronounce your name each time someone asks. I like names that are rare and unique but as I commented in another thread about names, I think it is hard on the child as they go through life, business etc with a name most don't know how to say or spell it.

My kids are taking an online class this year in which they are required to read a chapter and then take notes. The instructor told them that they are at the perfect grades(8th and 9th) to learn how to take notes well so they will great at note-taking in college. He also told them that they will probably write too much at first but gradually improve with practice. My problems are these...they are both slow at writing. One because he says that is the only way I can read his pensmanship and the other because he is a neatpin/laid back never in a hurry kind of kid. The other problem I am having is how to explain take notes as they both try to write complete sentences or simply too much. What advice would you offer to us? I'm going crazy. thanks,

I don't know if you call these teen jeans but I buy my jeans from the Buckle. I love the brands BKE, Big Star and Miss Me. I am 5'2" and small build. I get compliments all the time. They have various styles to choose from and honestly, they wear forever.

don't have a clue how to pronounce those names but I do love Tilly. I like names that are unusual-perhaps I mean rarely used or ones used in years past. However, I want them to be names that others can easily pronounce and easy to spell for others. I have a pretty common name but there are variations to the ending(y, ie or i) and I am always correcting the spelling which is a pain. I think in life as they grow older, it is helpful in a career or other areas of life to have a name that is easy for others to say/spell. Oh, and I had two boys but I told my husband that if we had had a girl that I always wanted to name her, "Ivy." Love that!

I'm glad that to see this thread as I would like some sites for my teens to read as well. I feel exactly as you do about the content of some of the news sites and I actively read these sites but do not feel that some of the content is appropriate for "curious" teens. Honestly, I can't figure out why news sites have some of the fluff that they do as well as some of the questionable articles. We want our kids exposed to the news and current events but not the other right now.

wow...so glad I posted this morning. I am really rethinking the situation as yes, here in Illinois, we do have the snow and muddy weather. Suede always catches my eye but I think you all are right about longivity. Frye boots have been on my wish list as well so I may go back and browse thru them. sigh.... Alas, my search goes on...thanks for the comments and advice.

Ok , I have been on this boot search and can't seem to make a decision. Finally have found some that I really like--not crazy at all abou the prices but when I read reviews of some less expensive ones...I start thinking that for as long as I will wear these, do I need to get a more expensive pair(i.e. better quality). My husband says I can get a pair for anniversary but he says more doesn't necessarily mean better.. what say you boot lovers? Do you like any of these and what are your thoughts on price and quality? http://www.endless.com/Ash-Womens-Story-Knee-High-Boot/dp/B003GAMAMW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&cAsin=B003GAMAK4&fromPage=search&sr=1-2&qid=1287234323753&asins=B003GAMAGI%2CB003GAMAK4&asinTitle=Ash%20Story%20Knee-High%20Boot&contextTitle=search%20results&node=241745011&sort=relevancerank&keywords=ash story knee high boot http://www.endless.com/Nine%20West%20Womens%20Tumble%20Boots/dp/B003M0OASI/ref=rsl_1-3/?fromPage=mythings&refURL=%2Fmythings%2F&asins=B003JFK2XS,B003BVJXOE,B003GAMAL8,B003M0OASI http://www.endless.com/Juicy%20Couture%20Womens%20Giordana%20Boot/dp/B003BVJXOE/ref=rsl_1-1/?fromPage=mythings&refURL=%2Fmythings%2F&asins=B003JFK2XS,B003BVJXOE,B003GAMAL8,B0http://www.endless.com/Biviel%20Womens%20Bv2816%20Knee-High%20Frank/dp/B003JFK2XS/ref=rsl_1-0/?fromPage=mythings&refURL=%2Fmythings%2F&asins=B003JFK2XS,B003BVJXOE,B003GAMAL8,B003M0OASI03M0OASI http://www.endless.com/Biviel%20Womens%20Bv2816%20Knee-High%20Frank/dp/B003JFK2XS/ref=rsl_1-0/?fromPage=mythings&refURL=%2Fmythings%2F&asins=B003JFK2XS,B003BVJXOE,B003GAMAL8,B003M0OASI#__asin=B003GAMAL8&ref=dp_cs_3

these are soooo good!! A friend came for visit and made these and even my pickiest of eaters loved them!! 1 lb. new potatoes 2 Tbsp butter-melted with and mixed with honey 1 Tbsp honey 2 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper Put spices in melted butter and stir. Put new potatoes in bowl with mixture and stir(or in bag with mixture and shake!). Pour in 13x9 dish and bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

I would love the German Chocolate, maybe Lemon Luscious and I agree anything with a touch of Kahlua or booze, yeah baby!!!!

http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=49587&vid=1&pid=713939&scid=713939022 I looked at these boots and love them...I read the reviews and noticed that some said the silver zipper takes away from the boot. Would that be something that would keep you from ordering this boot? I really like it and my husband was ok with the price.

If anyone else finds a perfect boot, send pics. Sounds like all of you really understand how I could REALLY use ankle boot, booties, knee-high,etc...it's nice to have encouragement..heehee!!!

OK...I think I may have found the end to the search of the knee high boots...these are soooo awesome. Price is a little more than I wanted to spend but my Timberland brown ones were about that price last year and they look brand new. thanks

now you're talking...I love the grey suede-sorta wish there was a bit more detail on them. But for that price I can buy more than one pair.

I am on a major boot search....my problem is I can't find what I "think" I want. Last year, I bought a pair of gorgegous dark brown Timberland zippered knee high riding boots. Wear them with everything. So, this year, I thought I wanted to invest in ankle boots then I decided on booties and now I switching back to ankles or kneehigh. I have alot of grey in my wardrobe this year and so I am considering grey suede or leather...maybe black. I bought a pair of ankle boots from Dillards --adorable suede grey with zipper and a bow on side but they had about 4 inch heel and even though hubby and I both liked the way they looked on with skinny jeans, I knew that I would not just grab for them everyday or so. I want good quality but really don't want to spend more than $100-200 as I might try to buy both an ankle boot as well as knee high. I know some of you are great shoppers and I have searched online mainly...Zappos, Endless, Piperlime, Nordstrom but I think I have realized that I need someone to just say "BUY THIS ONE!!" I see several I like but most are way over budget. help anyone?

:)this is a great post!!! thanks for the encouragement...I needed to hear this as well as we live in a small community and have no friends. It 's lonely and we feel a bit out of the loop when the kids talk with their cousins and ps friends from out of state.